The House Always Wins: Compulsive Gambler Sues Casino

• A compulsive gambler in Canada is suing the casino he gambled in.
• He alleges that the casino was aware of his condition and encouraged him to gamble.
• He further alleges that they should have known he was banned from casinos.

WINDSOR – A compulsive gambler in Canada, Tarwinder Shokar, is suing the casino he gambled and lost at. Shokar lost up to 342,000 Canadian dollars (around $260,000 US) at the Caesar’s Windsor in Canada, according to the Windsor Star .

While this may sound relatively ridiculous on its face, Shokar and his lawyers argue that the Windsor went out of its way to induce Shokar to gamble. A lawyer representing Shokar was quoted by the Windsor Star as saying: “Our position is he was a compulsive gambler and the casino and/or the OLG were either well aware of his past background — or should have been.”

According to the plaintiff, Shokar already has a reputation – he’s been banned from many other casinos in the Ontario area. The argument, then, is that the casino either knew about his gambling addiction and exploited it, or should have known and were negligent in providing him the service they did.

Shokar was provided with a VIP host, who escorted him around the facility, from game to game and even to dinner. The casino paid for Shokar’s taxi to return after he went home for the night. According to the defense, they even set up a special table for him. Further, the plaintiff alleges that the casino gave Shokar far too much to drink, in order to induce him to gamble more.

In other words, according to Shokar’s lawyer, Iain MacKinnon, “They did everything they could for him to gamble as much as possible.”

The defense for the casino is simple. They argue that Shokar was mentally sound, that he made his decisions himself, and he was not directed in any way by casino employees.

Shokar is asking for his money back, as well as 500,000 Canadian dollars in punitive damages.